Is $15 Enough? Understanding the Struggles ofLow Wage Workers

Attention to the struggles of low wage workers has increased over the last decade. Spurred by the Fight for $15 and other organizing efforts, this attention has produced increases in the minimum wage in numerous places as well as pressure on large employers to raise wages. Nevertheless, questions remain about whether raising wages to $15 an hour is enough for workers to meet their basic needs. Existing data suggest that over 40% of U.S. households are a $400 emergency away from crisis, and many workers experience numerous hardships in their daily lives. Without detracting from efforts to push hourly wages toward $15, it is important to understand the experiences of lower wage workers and whether $15 an hour is sufficient to help them make ends meet.